5 observations: UCLA 27, Oregon State 19

If you're like Rick Neuheisel, you too are probably wondering what happened to 5 Observations. We apologize, we were experiencing a blog malfunction Monday.

Here are my five observations from UCLA's 27-19 victory at Oregon State on Saturday:

1. Let Richard Bre-throw

I understand why Rick Neuheisel might be a bit hesitant (paranoid) to let Richard Brehaut chuck the ball all over the field. Three years ago Kevin Craft set a school record with 20 interceptions. Two years ago Kevin Prince and Brehaut combined to throw nine interceptions (to just eight touchdowns). Last year they combined for 12 picks and nine scores.

Last week Prince threw three INTs in the first quarter against Texas, effectually burying the Bruins. But Brehaut isn't Craft or Prince. He's not even the 2009-10 Brehaut, which he proved again by completing 7-of-11 attempts Saturday for 146 yards. The junior hasn't thrown an interception in 79 attempts this season, nor has he fumbled in 34 rushing attempts. He's also taken only three sacks. Interceptions, fumbles and sacks marred his first two seasons, even when he was only making cameo appearances in ‘09.

That's what he's not doing. Now consider what he is doing. Brehaut is averaging 8.92 yards an attempt, a figure that would rank No. 11 in the nation last season. He's leading three-play, 80-yard drives, all through the air. He's hitting Nelson Rosario on 15-yard outs on third-and-8. Neuheisel hasn't had a quarterback do any of these things the previous three years. As a former quarterback, he should be the first to recognize Brehaut is different.

2. Two-minute fire drill

Neuheisel immediately apologized for not having Jeff Locke punt out of bounds but directly to Jordan Poyer, who returned it 85 yards for a touchdown that altered the entire complexion of the game. He admitted it was an egregious mistake. What I still don't understand is the chaotic series of events leading up that. The Bruins were leading 21-3 and imposing their will on offense — Brehaut had completed 4-of-5 passes at the time — when they took over at their own 20 with 1:41 remaining. They had all three timeouts remaining. The decision from there was simple: try for a score or sit on the lead and run the entire clock out.

UCLA strangely tried to do both, as Neuheisel and Brehaut later said the plan was to run the ball and run the clock, and if UCLA so happened to get a first down, it would then try to score. Well, UCLA ran on the first two plays, got a first down but also lost about 40 seconds of clock to advance 12 yards. UCLA could have taken a knee from there but instead started throwing. After a 9-yard completion to Rosario, the Bruins finally called a timeout with 42 seconds left from their own 41. The next play they went for the homerun, a deep pass to Randall Carroll that he might have caught had he not slowed up. Brehaut dropped back to pass on third down but was taken down in the backfield in what was ruled a rushing attempt. This prompted Oregon State to call a timeout with 32 seconds left.

On fourth down, Neuheisel said he wanted to punt out of bounds but wasn't able to communicate that to the special teams coach. That's inexcusable given UCLA had two timeouts remaining. You know what happened next, which set the stage for a gripping second half that shouldn't have been.

3. The defense delivers

The UCLA defense needed that. It needed to prove to the offense and to itself that it could win a game that was on the line. I asked linebacker Sean Westgate what went through his mind when Oregon State blocked a PAT late in the fourth quarter, keeping it a one-possession game. “I'm excited,” he said. “Put the game on us. We'll get it done.” I'm not sure many Bruins shared that sentiment — just a moment before, Westgate admitted the defense has been lacking confidence — but now they have something to hang their helmets on. Oregon State isn't Oregon, but this victory was the product of the defense holding onto a lead the offense built up and was unable to extend.

They described their play as a “bend, but don't break” deal. But in the fourth quarter they broke the Beavers, shutting them out by stopping them on two fourth down attempts in the fourth quarter, both past midfield. The second was after the blocked PAT, OSU with the ball at the UCLA 22. The first came at the UCLA 34, with the Bruins holding just a two-point lead. UCLA's defense won the ever-important fourth quarter of a tight game, just like they did against San Jose State. This instance will mean a bit more going forward.

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